This is peak season for encountering white-tailed deer fawns, and the
Indiana Department of Natural Resources is saying that If you come across
one which appears to be abandoned, the best thing to do is leave it alone.

“It’s common to see fawns by themselves,” the DNR said. “A mother deer will
leave a fawn during the day, both to look for food and so her scent doesn’t
attract predators to the fawn, which is nearly scentless. People often
mistake a fawn as abandoned when, in fact, it is being properly cared for by
its mother.”

If you care, leave it there. In almost all cases that’s the best thing for
the animal.

“If you find a fawn, give the animal distance,” the DNR added. “The mother
will not return if you are present, which may delay nursing for a hungry
fawn. Most often the mother will return at night or when no predators are
nearby. White-tailed deer view humans as predators.”

Even if you think the animal is injured, you still should leave it be. It’s
best to let nature take its course. Wild animals are not pets. They may
carry diseases and are not suited for captivity.

“If you feel compelled to intervene, call a licensed wildlife
rehabilitator,” the DNR said. “Keeping a wild animal without the proper
permits is illegal. Most people are not trained in animal nutrition and do
not know how to raise a wild animal without it developing a dependence on
humans. The result is an animal that cannot survive in the wild.”

A list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators and their phone numbers is at
dnr.IN.gov/fishwild/5492.htm